On the surface, two novels like Heart of Darkness and She probably seem drastically different. They are both adventure stories, however their plots are extremely contrasting. While Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness creates a somewhat dark and disturbing setting to tell a story of the human psyche in the face of danger, it may seem that H. Rider Haggard's She is a complete contrast. Haggard uses supernatural elements, creating an exciting and fast-paced narrative, while Conrad's story progresses slowly and deliberately. After delving into each of these novels, it becomes apparent that beneath the surface they have more in common than one might initially think, namely their main characters. The similarities between these two characters far outweigh the thematic differences between the two novels. The characters Ayesha and Kurtz have both completely immersed themselves in African culture, gaining the love, respect and even fear of the natives along the way. Despite their different storylines, Ayesha and Kurtz have many similarities when it comes to personality, philosophy, and how they treat those around them. Conrad and Haggard both use these details in an attempt to convey to European audiences the extreme differences between the two cultures. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The differences in these novels mainly lie in the themes and plots. Although both are adventure stories, focusing on characters who venture into the heart of Africa, the thematic differences are enormous. Heart of Darkness focuses a lot on the psychology of the main characters, showing the darker side of Marlowe's adventure. It presents itself as a slightly more lighthearted and less psychological story. While it eventually takes on a darker tone, it never feels as dark as Conrad's tale. If it weren't for the characters or Kurtz and Ayesha, it would be difficult to find similarities other than the setting. Both Kurtz and Ayesha are mysteries to the audience at the beginning of each of the novels. Kurtz, we learn, is an ambitious ivory agent stationed in Africa. Ayesha, also known as She, is a mysterious and supernatural figure hidden in the heart of Africa. In Heart of Darkness, the only clues Marlowe receives is when he is told of Kurtz's importance: "'He is a prodigy... He is an emissary of mercy and science and progress, and the devil knows what else'" ( Conrad 83). The only information Marlowe can glean about Kurtz is that he is immensely successful at picking ivy and is greatly admired by many within the company. While Marlowe is perplexed by Kurtz's limited knowledge, in She, Holly and Leo learn a lot about Ayesha through Leo's father's letters. They learn that Ayesha is "the mighty queen of a savage people, a white woman of peculiar beauty..." (Haggard 19). Both characters remain enigmatic until the middle of their respective novels, when the narrators finally meet them. Additionally, Kurtz and Ayesha have both immersed themselves in the culture of the native Africans among whom they live. Both also earned the devotion, love and fear of the natives. Kurtz had the power to inspire complete devotion in those around him: “His rise was extraordinary. The camps of these people surrounded the place, and the chiefs came every day to see it” (Conrad 128). The natives seem to be in awe of Kurtz. Not only do they admire him, but they respect and listen to him, even though he comes from Europe. He used his charm and power to influence them: "He had the power to enchant or frighten rudimentary souls into an exacerbatedwitches dance in her honor..." (Conrad 118). Ayesha had a similar effect on her people. She became the ruler of the natives in her part of Africa and is highly respected and feared: “She was obeyed long and hard across the country, and to question her command meant certain death. She kept a guard, but she had no regular army, and to disobey her meant death” (Haggard 86). her greatest achievement is to have become their queen. Both Kurtz and Ayesha have very selfish personalities. They both seem to love the power they have over these people and seem to appreciate it. they still expect to receive respect and kindness in return. Kurtz and Ayesha have both lived somewhat solitary lives in Africa and, because of this, they have each developed their own set of very similar beliefs and philosophies. Kurtz, while in Africa became obsessed with ivory and the power that comes with it: “I heard him say 'my destiny, my ivory, my station, my river, my... everything belonged to him” (Conrad 115). Kurtz became so obsessed with his position, that he would do anything to maintain his power, even going so far as to deceive the natives, as he describes in his report: “He began to maintain that we whites,…must necessarily appear to them [savages ] in the nature of supernatural beings, we approach them with the power of a divinity” (Conrad 117). Kurtz is interested in nothing more than acquiring most of the ivory and the money that comes with it. Ayesha feels very much the same way as she also believes that no one should stand in the way of something she wants. The only difference is that what Ayesha wants is not an object, but a real person. When Holly is trying to convince Ayesha to spare Ustane's life, she states, "His sin is that he stands between me and my desire" (Haggard 182). Later, when Ayesha explains her philosophy in detail, she asks Holly, "Is it then a crime, O foolish man, to set aside that which stands between us and our ends?" (Haggard 182). Ayesha has no qualms about ending another's life to get what she wants. This simply shows that she has no regard for anyone but herself. Both Kurtz and Ayesha firmly believe that their wants and needs surpass those of anyone else, especially those of native Africans. The treatment of native Africans is highly problematic in both Heart of Darkness and She. Both Kurtz and Ayesha see the natives as servants who they can give orders to and who can carry out their orders. They are both cruel and merciless with their punishments. Kurtz feels no respect or kindness towards the natives. Marlowe realizes this when he comes across a disturbing discovery: “These round knobs were not ornamental but symbolic; they were expressive and disconcerting, surprising and disturbing” (Conrad 127). What Marlowe had initially thought were some sort of ornaments turned out to actually be heads on poles, placed there by Kurtz himself. Rather than earning Marlowe's respect for this cruel act, Marlowe believes, "This only proved that Kurtz lacked moderation in the gratification of his various lusts" (Conrad 128). Ayesha also shows that she has no control when it comes to her anger: “Her voice was raised in anger…I saw poor Billali…a very fearless person, positively trembling with fear at her words” (Haggard 133 ). This proves that Ayesha has the power to make even the bravest warriors tremble in fear when faced with her wrath. Ayesha also shows her ruthless side when she claims Leo for herself, breaking Leo's heart.